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Dig out the picnic basket, get the family together and enjoy some laughs in the great outdoors and of course some sandwiches. The Forest of Dean and Wye Valley has some fantastic picnic spots for you and your family to enjoy this summer, or throughout the year. From forest locations to riverside spots with gorgeous views, and don't forget our farm shops and delis for that all important local produce and many even provide ready made picnic hampers for that extra special treat!
Here are our top five places to have a picnic in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley:
Beechenhurst is the perfect rain or shine picnic location, with plenty of outdoor space to enjoy in the sunshine and indoor space just in case it rains. In the heart of the Forest, the centre is close to the Sculpture Trail and has a play area, cafe, shop and an exciting climbing tower. There are in-situ BBQ facilities.
Cannop Ponds has a large grass area to spread out your picnic blankets and is close to the car park and the ponds. The ponds themselves are picturesque and are home to lots of wildlife including ducks, swans and even dragonflies.
The Kymin with its roundhouse atop a hill - built in the 18th century by the gentry of Monmouth as a banqueting house at this viewpoint overlooking the town. It's still a great place to picnic.
Mallards Pike Lake is one of the best picnic spots in the South West. It consists of man-made lakes and is a popular attraction for walking, cycling and other adventure activities. With hot and cold refreshments from Mallards Cafe, this is a great location for a family picnic too.
Symonds Yat Rock is a Forestry England site and an internationally renowned viewpoint overlooking the River Wye and has many places to explore and to enjoy picnics. Below it are Symonds Yat East and West, two separate villages on either side of the Wye.
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Chepstow
With over 600 years' history weaved into its walls, that notion of rediscovery is no more evident than at Chepstow Castle. Beautifully preserved and stretching out along a limestone cliff above the River Wye, Chepstow Castle’s beauty is matched only by its historical significance.
Tintern
When we talk about British architectural icons, they don’t come much more iconic than Tintern Abbey: a Gothic masterpiece and Romantic symbol of the sublime.
Symonds Yat
Internationally renowned viewpoint with fantastic views over the Wye Valley. A car park, cafe and shop are nearby and there are woodland walks all around including down to Symonds Yat East village.
Parkend
Beautiful lake in the Forest of Dean, popular for walking, with lots of picnic benches, nearby cycle paths and a cafe and toilets on site.
Soudley
We are the Museum of the Forest: a stunning building and location with inside and outside attractions. Learn about the history of the Forest from the Ice Age to the present day, visit our museum and gallery, explore the Gruffalo woodland trail, visit a charcoal burner's camp, see chainsaw carving, our mill pond and pretty stream, kids will enjoy our woodland playground plus there is an excellent cafe and gift shop.
Coleford
Beechenhurst, managed by Forestry England, lies in the heart of the Forest of Dean, and is a great place to start your forest adventure. Trail, play area, picnic spots, Go Ape and cafe.
Coleford
Unique railway with walks through beautiful woodland.
Tickets last all day - enjoy as many train rides as you like!
Indoor Village and exciting Treasure Hunt!
Cafe is available. Picnics welcome.
Caldicott
Black Rock is on the Monmouthshire coastline of the Severn Estuary between the two Severn bridges. There is a picnic site and the location gives fantastic panoramic views of the estuary and both bridges. Black Rock is the home of a traditional method of fishing which has been practiced for hundreds of years and and also historic links with much earlier ways of crossing the river.
Skenfrith
Skenfrith Castle is a ruined castle in the village of Skenfrith in Monmouthshire, Wales, one of a trio of Monmouthshire fortresses known as the ‘Three Castles’ – which includes Grosmont and White Castle – built to control the border. The castle’s well-preserved walls surround a circular keep. Built on an earthen mound, this sturdy structure was a last line of defence should the castle fall under attack.
Lydbrook is a village in the Forest of Dean with a rich industrial history. It occupies a steep sided valley leading to the River Wye. It is an ideal base for walking, cycling and enjoying the river with direct access to launch canoes from the car park.
Chepstow
Chepstow Park is a large block of woodland with both mature broadleaf and conifer species as well as an excellent viewpoint south towards the Severn Bridges.
Llandogo
A stunning section of the Wye Valley Walk high above the River Wye with some of the most impressive views along the Wye Valley. The thundering Cleddon Falls are the biggest in the area and the Duchess Ride Viewpoint is one of the best.
Newent
Large picturesque lake surrounded by park not far from the centre of Newent town.
Parkend
Nagshead is an RSPB Nature Reserve, the largest in the Forest of Dean. It is an ideal spot for birdwatching and wildlife spotting with woodland walks, ponds and hides. In spring watch for pied flycatchers and buzzards. In winter look for crossbills and hawfinches.
Monmouth
When Admiral Lord Nelson visited the site in 1802 he described it as one of the most beautiful places he had ever seen.
Abergavenny
White Castle is the best preserved and most imposing of the trio of Monmouthshire fortresses known as the ‘Three Castles’ – which includes Grosmont and Skenfrith – built to control the border. Its medieval name might derive from the white rendering used on its masonry. Castell Gwyn in Welsh it is also known historically as Llantilio Castle. It is near the village of Llantilio Crossenny.
Pretty village on the River Wye, partly in Wales and partly in England with a rich industrial heritage.
Gloucester
Gloucester Cathedral, or the Cathedral Church of St Peter and the Holy and Indivisible Trinity, in Gloucester, stands in the north of the city near the river.
Highnam
Highnam Woods on the eastern edge of the Forest of Dean is an RSPB nature reserve offering great birdwatching and wildlife spotting opportunities.
A small village on the banks of the River Severn with riverside walks, lovely views and is one of the best spots to view the Severn Bore. A pub, cafe, well stocked shop and good facilities makes this an ideal base for exploring the area.
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*Visit Dean Wye is the trading name of Forest of Dean & Wye Valley Tourism Limited.